Content: In this class students will study government, political science, citizenship, and current events. Throughout the course students will work on writing, speaking, critical thinking skills, and the application of study skills. It is important to understand the philosophy of our county, how it operates, and to think critically about the government's role in protecting our rights in a post 9-11 world.
Textbooks: Civics: Responsibilities and Citizenship. Glencoe/McGraw Hill. 1997. We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution. Published by The Center for Civic Education, 1995. This will serve as our secondary textbook.
Areas of Study: Unit 1 Why We Have a Government?
This unit will examine the need for government, and the governing philosophy of John Locke and Social Contracts, and other philosophers from the Enlightenment Period. Unit 2: The Founding of the American Political System.
This unit will examine the short term events that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Simulation #1: Constitutional Convention.
Unit 3: The Constitution
Students will study Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and the Rule of Law that is imbedded in the Constitution.
Unit 4 Bill of Rights.
Students will examine how the Bill of Rights was created and the role it has played in our nation's history. Moreover, we will examine how these rights affect out lives in post 9-11 world.
Unit 5 Legislative Branch:
Students will learn about the law making power of the legislative branch. Simulation #2: Student Bill Proposal - Legislative Simulation.
Unit 6 Political Parties and Elections:
Students will learn about the electoral process and the differences between political parties and ideologies. Students will also assess where they fall on the political spectrum. Simulation #3: Election Simulation. Unit 7 Executive Branch:
Students will examine the power of the presidency and the office's role in policy making.
Unit 8 Judicial Branch:
Students will learn about the structure of our independent judiciary, judicial review, and the Supreme Court. Simulation #4: Mock Trial
*There is NO extra credit given in Civics.*
Projects:
There are four major projects in Civics: Constitutional Simulation, Legislative Simulation, Election Simulation, and the Mock Trial. These projects are done and assessed on an individual basis. Identical projects will be given a zero and a letter will be placed in your student file.
NATIONAL STANDARDS
CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT
A WE THE PEOPLE Textbook and Lesson (addressing Civics and Government)
THE RETURN OF CIVIC EDUCATION
An article 2007 - download PDF http://www.kappanmagazine.org/content/89/4/285.abstract
Has links to civic education sitesPennsylvania Civic Education
http://www.penncord.org/programs/
Center for Civic Engagement
http://www.civicyouth.org/
CIVIC COMPETENCIES
http://civicmissionofschools.org/site/resources/civiccompetencies.html
AN ONLINE VIDEO COMPETITION FOR ISSUE
http://www.civiced.org/index.php?page=film_your_pc
MORE CIVIC EDUCATION SITES
http://new.civiced.org/resources/civic-education-links
STUDENT AMBASSADORS PROGRAM - competition where students participate in a legislative summit
http://new.civiced.org/programs/project-citizen/student-ambassadors-participate-in-legislative-summit
SENATE JUDICIARY HEARING!!
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/socialstudies/confirm2_7-20.html
How C-SPAN classroom can help teach civics
http://www.springvillegi.org/webpages/cspan/index.cfm
THERE ARE SO MANY SIMULATIONS
United States Senate Youth Program
http://www.ussenateyouth.org/
MOCK CONGRESS - Bill writing AND MOCK ELECTION
http://www.youthleadership.net/
Minnesota - one teacher's outline for CIVICS
Content: In this class students will study government, political science, citizenship, and current events. Throughout the course students will work on writing, speaking, critical thinking skills, and the application of study skills. It is important to understand the philosophy of our county, how it operates, and to think critically about the government's role in protecting our rights in a post 9-11 world.Textbooks:
Civics: Responsibilities and Citizenship. Glencoe/McGraw Hill. 1997.
We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution. Published by The Center for Civic Education, 1995. This will serve as our secondary textbook.
Areas of Study:
Unit 1 Why We Have a Government?
This unit will examine the need for government, and the governing philosophy of John Locke and Social Contracts, and other philosophers from the Enlightenment Period.
Unit 2: The Founding of the American Political System.
This unit will examine the short term events that led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Simulation #1: Constitutional Convention.
Unit 3: The Constitution
Students will study Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and the Rule of Law that is imbedded in the Constitution.
Unit 4 Bill of Rights.
Students will examine how the Bill of Rights was created and the role it has played in our nation's history. Moreover, we will examine how these rights affect out lives in post 9-11 world.
Unit 5 Legislative Branch:
Students will learn about the law making power of the legislative branch.
Simulation #2: Student Bill Proposal - Legislative Simulation.
Unit 6 Political Parties and Elections:
Students will learn about the electoral process and the differences between political parties and ideologies. Students will also assess where they fall on the political spectrum.
Simulation #3: Election Simulation.
Unit 7 Executive Branch:
Students will examine the power of the presidency and the office's role in policy making.
Unit 8 Judicial Branch:
Students will learn about the structure of our independent judiciary, judicial review, and the Supreme Court.
Simulation #4: Mock Trial
*There is NO extra credit given in Civics.*
Projects:
There are four major projects in Civics: Constitutional Simulation, Legislative Simulation, Election Simulation, and the Mock Trial. These projects are done and assessed on an individual basis. Identical projects will be given a zero and a letter will be placed in your student file.